Cardinal Health Welcomes Record Number of Attendees at its Annual Independent Pharmacy Trade Show
More than 5,000 attend annual Retail Business Conference as company launches new tools to help independent pharmacies deliver cost-effective, personalized care to more patients
WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To kick off its
annual retail pharmacy trade show, Cardinal Health today launched
new tools and services designed to help independent retail
pharmacies improve local access to quality, cost-effective health
care in their communities.
With a conference theme of "A more perfect union," Cardinal
Health used the historic backdrop of the nation's capitol to
underscore its continued commitment to creating successful,
long-term partnerships with retail independent pharmacies and to
continue to make health care more cost-effective so its customers
can focus more time on meeting patient needs.
"As the nation's health care debate continues to focus on
finding the best ways to improve the cost and quality of health
care, independent pharmacies play a critical role in providing
patients with local access to the personalized health care services
they need," said Mike Kaufmann, CEO of Cardinal Health's
Pharmaceutical segment. "We remain focused on supporting the
long-term success of independent pharmacies by helping them improve
efficiency, connect with new patients and deliver the health care
services their communities need most."
Key new offerings introduced at the 2009 Cardinal Health Retail
Business Conference include:
-- Specialized Care Centers for Diabetes, Home Health Care and
Immunizations --- Studies show that 20 percent of U.S. residents will
be over the age of 65 by 2030(1), and more than 30 million will have
diabetes by 2030(2). These statistics are fueling a tremendous patient
need for home health care, durable medical equipment and diabetes
products and services. Understanding that community pharmacists are
perfectly positioned to deliver these personalized services at the
local level, Cardinal Health launched new Specialized Care Centers to
provide retailers with education, training, product recommendations
and marketing tools to help them become their communities' primary
source for diabetes or home health care needs.--- Additionally,
because all 50 states now allow pharmacies to administer vaccinations
and all new vaccinations are reimbursed through Medicare Part D,
Cardinal Health also launched a Specialized Care Program to enable
pharmacies to position themselves among patients and fellow local
caregivers, such as physicians, nurses and assisted living facilities,
as a local destination for immunization needs. These new Specialized
Care Centers also help retailers create new revenue streams, which can
help bolster profitability in the face of shrinking prescription
reimbursements.
-- New local store marketing tools and consultation -- Recognizing that
the ability to create long-term relationships with new patients is
critical to the growth of independent pharmacies, Cardinal Health also
introduced a new Local Store Marketing offering that will help
independent pharmacies develop and implement customized marketing
strategies to help them expand their customer base and generate
increased store traffic. The new program helps Cardinal Health
customers increase their patient market share by helping them build
and implement marketing plans based on individual store goals, points
of differentiation and local community needs. --- The company also
introduced enhanced demographic research, ad design and local event
planning services, as well as new customizable flyers, posters, bag
clippers, print ads, radio and TV ad scripts to help pharmacies
connect with new patients in their communities.
-- Cardinal Health's comprehensive and flexible generics program -- The
increased focus on health care costs will continue to drive demand for
generic products. To enable retail independents to make generic drugs
immediately available to patients, Cardinal Health also announced
enhancements to its First Script(SM) generics program. The
best-in-class First Script(SM) program now automatically ships
participating pharmacies a 30-day supply of new generic
pharmaceuticals, immediately upon each product's launch.
(1) United States Census Bureau, August 2008
(2) American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care, May 2004
About the Cardinal Health Retail Business Conference (RBC)
The Cardinal Health Retail Business Conference (RBC), held July
30 to Aug. 1 in Washington, D.C., provides independent pharmacies
and pharmacy franchise owners with the opportunity to network with
and learn from thousands of their peers from across the nation
while gaining new insights to improve the effectiveness and
efficiency of their businesses. The annual event provides more than
5,000 attendees - including independent pharmacy owners,
pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmaceutical manufacturers and
other pharmacy industry professionals across the United States -
with buying opportunities, continuing education sessions and
programs to help improve patient care, efficiency and
profitability. For more information, visit
www.CardinalHealthRBC.com.
About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) is a $91 billion, global company
serving the health care industry with products and services that
help hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies reduce costs,
improve safety, productivity and profitability, and deliver better
care to patients. With a focus on making supply chains more
efficient, reducing hospital-acquired infections and breaking the
cycle of harmful medication errors, Cardinal Health develops
market-leading technologies, including Alaris IV pumps, Pyxis
automated dispensing and patient identification systems,
MedMined(TM) electronic infection surveillance service and VIASYS
respiratory care products. The company also manufactures medical
and surgical products and is one of the largest distributors of
pharmaceuticals and medical supplies worldwide. Ranked No. 18 on
the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 40,000 people on
five continents. More information about the company may be found at
www.cardinalhealth.com.
Source: Cardinal Health, Inc.
CONTACT: Media: Tara Schumacher, +1-614-757-6250,
tara.schumacher@cardinalhealth.com,
or Investors: Jon Lyons, +1-614-757-3996,
jon.lyons@cardinalhealth.com,
both of Cardinal Health, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.cardinalhealth.com/
Posted: July 2009
